Description
Book Synopsis: The tortuous canyon country of southeastern Utah conceals thousands of archaeological sites, ancient homes of the ancestors of today's Southwest Indian peoples. Late in the nineteenth century, adventurous cowboy-archaeologists made the first forays into the canyons in search of the material remains of these prehistoric cultures. Rancher Richard Wetherill (best known as the "discoverer" of Mesa Verde's Cliff Palace) and his brothers; entrepreneurs Charles McLoyd and Charles Cary Graham; and numerous other adventurers, scholars, preachers, and businessmen mounted expeditions into the area now known as Grand Gulch.
With varying degrees of scientific rigor, they mapped and dug the canyon's rich archaeological sites, removing large numbers of artifacts and burial goods to exhibit or sell back home-whether "home" was Durango, Chicago, New York, or Helsinki. During a trip in the winter of 1893-94, Richard Wetherill unearthed convincing proof that a previously unrecognized group of people had lived in Grand Gulch before the so-called Anasazi, or Cliff Dwellers. Wetherill named these people the "Basket Makers" and inaugurated a new era of understanding of the region's prehistoric past.
Almost one hundred years later, the modern-day adventure that became known as the Wetherill-Grand Gulch Research Project began. Intrigued by the poorly documented history of the Gulch, a group of avocational archaeologists launched a grassroots effort to recover that history and locate the many artifacts that had been extracted from southeastern Utah's arid soil. The Gulch, they found, contained its own invaluable clues in the form of dated signatures left on canyon walls by the Wetherills and others as they made their way from site to site. An effort to track the original explorers in the Gulch ultimately led the team to Chicago's Field Museum and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
In this book, Fred M. Blackburn and Ray A. Williamson tell the two intertwined stories of the early archaeological expeditions into Grand Gulch and the Wetherill-Grand Gulch Research Project. In the process, they describe what we now know about Basketmaker culture and present a stirring plea for the preservation of our nation's priceless archaeological heritage. Lavishly illustrated with color and black-and-white photographs.
Details
Step into the world of ancient civilizations with Cowboys and Cave Dwellers: Basketmaker Archaeology of Utah's Grand Gulch. This captivating book takes you on a journey through the tortuous canyons of southeastern Utah, revealing the hidden archaeological sites that were once home to the ancestors of today's Southwest Indian peoples. Be prepared to be amazed as you uncover the secrets of the mysterious Basket Makers - a previously unrecognized group of people who inhabited Grand Gulch before the more well-known Cliff Dwellers. Let this book transport you back in time and unveil the rich history of this remarkable region.
Experience the thrill of discovery as you follow in the footsteps of the adventurous cowboy-archaeologists who paved the way for our understanding of this ancient civilization. Learn about the courageous endeavors of Richard Wetherill and his brothers, along with other intrepid explorers, scholars, and businessmen who risked it all to uncover the material remains of the past. Marvel at their determination as they mapped and excavated the canyon's archaeological sites, unearthing countless artifacts and burial goods that would shed light on the lives of the Basket Makers.
But the adventure doesn't end there. Join the modern-day Wetherill-Grand Gulch Research Project as they embark on a grassroots effort to recover the lost history of Grand Gulch. Delve into their quest to locate the artifacts that were extracted from the arid soil of southeastern Utah, uncovering valuable clues left behind by the original explorers. Discover the hidden secrets of the Gulch as the team traces their footsteps, leading them to prestigious institutions such as Chicago's Field Museum and the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The revelations are bound to leave you captivated and yearning for more.
Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative, brought to life by Fred M. Blackburn and Ray A. Williamson. With their expertise, they provide a comprehensive account of the early archaeological expeditions into Grand Gulch and the remarkable discoveries that followed. Feast your eyes on the stunning color and black-and-white photographs that adorn the pages, allowing you to visually experience the awe-inspiring beauty and historical richness of this beloved region.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the ancient wonders of Cowboys and Cave Dwellers: Basketmaker Archaeology of Utah's Grand Gulch. Get your hands on this invaluable book today and embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Preserve our nation's archaeological heritage and uncover the secrets of the past. Click here to purchase now!
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